fiscal cliff

KY Congressmen Divided on Fiscal Cliff Deal

Whitney Jones — Wed, 02 Jan 2013 12:31:47 +0000

Although the tax agreement preventing the fiscal cliff has passed in both the House and Senate, Kentucky congressmen remain divided on the issue. In the Senate, minority leader Mitch McConnell who was heavily involved in the negotiations voted yes while small-government proponent Rand Paul voted no. Kentucky’s representatives in the House were also equally divided. Both Democrats Ben Chandler and John Yarmuth along with Republican Harold Rogers supported the tax increase on the wealthiest of Americans. Republicans Ed Whitfield, Brett Guthrie and Thomas Massie all voted against the measure.

The Morning Cram [we all fall down edition]

Whitney Jones — Mon, 31 Dec 2012 15:36:22 +0000

From NPR: There are actually reasons to love the fiscal cliff. For one, it allows Congress to sell a tax increase as a tax cut. Want an explanation? Find it here.

How Kentucky's 2014 Senate Election May Play Into the 'Fiscal Cliff'

Joseph Lord kpr — Thu, 27 Dec 2012 21:26:14 +0000

U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has said that Congress is on track to have no deal before the Dec. 31 deadline for the "fiscal cliff."

One key to the negotiations is the brokering abilities of Kentucky Sen. Mitch McConnell, the minority leader.

Senator Rand Paul Says His Vote to Increase Taxes Would Be a Last Resort

Chad Lampe — Wed, 19 Dec 2012 20:15:05 +0000

Kentucky’s junior U.S. Senator Rand Paul says he’d prefer to keep tax rates the same, but he’d vote for a partial increase to avert the fiscal cliff. The republican hopes his party can compromise on cutting defense spending and democrats can compromise on entitlement reform to lower spending enough to prevent a tax increase overall. But, if he’s pushed to the edge of the fiscal cliff he says he’d vote for a partial tax increase although it isn’t ideal.

Paul Expects Deal on Fiscal Cliff to Include Top 2 Percent Tax

Josh James (KPR) — Fri, 14 Dec 2012 21:04:27 +0000

Kentucky U. S. Senator Rand Paul says he expects any deal made to avoid the so-called Fiscal Cliff will include tax increases on the top 2 percent. The comments came at today’s Commerce Lexington Public Policy Luncheon. Paul says Democrats are likely to get some tax increase passed, but criticized their rationale.

The Morning Cram [making a cliff out of a molehill edition]

Whitney Jones — Tue, 11 Dec 2012 14:27:09 +0000

From NPR: Tax experts say the upcoming fiscal cliff is really more like a pot of water getting ready to boil. The country won’t jump to its doom Jan. 1, the heat will just be turned up then. The experts say people won’t immediately be affected. The changes will come slowly, and probably won’t be noticeable until around the end of January.

McConville Quiet on Effects of Cuts on 101st

Shelly Baskin — Thu, 29 Nov 2012 23:06:33 +0000

If the Army’s 101st Airborne Division Commander knows what impact the upcoming “fiscal cliff” will have on the unit, he’s not saying. Major General James McConville leads the 24,000 soldiers in the 101st based at Fort Campbell.

Tennessee Could Feel More of a Hurt from the Fiscal Cliff

Angela Hatton and The Associated Press — Thu, 29 Nov 2012 22:33:47 +0000

A tax expert is warning state officials that Tennessee would be among the hardest-hit states if federal officials don't resolve the so-called fiscal cliff. Dr. Stan Chervin says states like Tennessee that depend heavily on sales taxes for revenue would feel the most stress if tax breaks are not extended. The Chattanooga Times Free Press reports Chervin is a senior research consultant with the state Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relation.

Barr Urges Temporary Fix for Fiscal Cliff

Josh James (KPR) — Mon, 12 Nov 2012 21:41:58 +0000

Sixth District Congressman-Elect Andy Barr says he'll get serious when it comes to cutting spending as Congress deals with the so-called "fiscal cliff." Barr made the remarks on KET's One To One with Bill Goodman this week. In the meantime, however, Barr urged members of Congress to create a temporary fix.

The Morning Cram [on the edge edition]

Shelly Baskin — Thu, 08 Nov 2012 14:59:34 +0000

From NPR: With the election over, attention in Washington has turned to the nation's debt and deficit challenges — most immediately the looming fiscal cliff. That's the $600 billion worth of expiring tax breaks and automatic spending cuts set to start taking effect Jan. 1.